News Release

Monday, October 11, 2010

Today a group called the Coalition for Community Control Over the Police held a news conference to dispute the official account of this officer-involved shooting and to call for civilian oversight of the LAPD. Chief Beck said, “No investigation on the LAPD is more exhaustive or subjected to more review and civilian oversight than an officer-involved shooting.” In addition to the Chief of Police, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Board of Police Commissioners maintain access to, and oversight responsibilities for, all officer-involved shooting investigations. The Department’s use of force policy is based in case law (Graham v. Connor) and requires that an officer’s actions be objectively reasonable.

Anyone with information about this officer-involved shooting should contact Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Los Angeles: On October 7, 2010, just after 5 p.m., a man pointed a gun at two Los Angeles police officers. One officer fired his duty pistol, striking the suspect. The man, later identified as 18-year-old James Davis, was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The incident began when Southeast Area Officers assigned to gang enforcement duties were patrolling the Imperial Courts Housing Development in full uniform and driving a marked police car. The officers were on the grounds of the housing development near 114th Street and Grape Street when they encountered three known gang members, all of whom were on foot. Immediately upon seeing the officers, one of the men (James Davis) immediately changed his direction and quickly moved toward an unidentified female. The officers stopped to investigate the gang activity and the suspicious movements displayed by Davis.

Davis pushed the unidentified female toward the officers and began to run away. As the officers gave chase, they noticed that Davis appeared to be grasping at or about his waistband area. The officers feared that Davis was armed. Still attempting to elude the officers on foot, Davis produced a semi-automatic handgun and pointed it back toward the officers. Police Officer II Manuel Castaneda, 5 years and 6 months with the Department, fired his duty pistol striking Davis, causing him to fall to the ground. The officers immediately called for medical assistance. Davis was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.